In 2002, the government of the UK officially proposed the DPRK government to unearth the remains of Hinton according to the ardent request of his bereaved families for the discovery of his remains as his whereabouts remained unknown for several decades.

Authorized by the DPRK government, the Panmunjom Mission of the Korean People's Army conducted a series of survey which led to accurately unearthing and ascertaining the remains of Hinton and relics left by him and buried them on the spot with care as requested by the bereaved families and provided them with facility so that they might visit his grave.

In March this year, the bereaved families asked for bringing his remains back home.

The KPA Panmunjom Mission unearthed his remains and relics again with the sincere cooperation from the side of the British embassy here, respecting their intention, and handed them to the side of the bereaved families.

It is the second time for the KPA to send back the remains of the dead British soldier. The remains of J. Edmuns, a second class private of the British Army, were handed to the British side on October 30, 1995.

Expressing deep gratitude to the government of the DPRK for having made every sincere effort for this humanitarian undertaking, the British side predicted that such cooperation would mark a good occasion in developing the relations between the two countries.

The Panmunjom Mission of the KPA clarified the stand to render positive cooperation in the future, too in unearthing and sending back remains, the humanitarian work for healing the wounds caused by the past Korean War.